I'm 47, married to Steve (50), Mum to two (24 & 23) and a Shih Tzu called Bella (13). I'm our Church Treasurer (on a voluntary basis) since July 2014. I started my Book Blog in October 2015. I created Bowen's Book Publicity in June 2020. I love to #sharethebooklove 💕
I finished If He Wakes last night, and it most definitely gets all the stars from me.
Rachel and Suzie are friends and have started a business together. When we meet Rachel, she is concerned her husband is having an affair and follows him. What she sees is far worse!
When we meet Suzie, she is besotted with her photographer fiancé, Adam (who Rachel is yet to meet as he always seems to be too busy), but she is becoming increasingly anxious having not heard from him for a while and even more so after finding out her bank account is empty. That would have set my alarm bells ringing for sure, but Suzie is convinced there will be an innocent explanation. She trusts Adams implicitly. When she discovers where he is she is beside herself with worry, but nothing could prepare her for what she is about to discover.
There’s not much else I can say without spoiling it for those who haven’t read it yet, but I could happily chat about this book for hours!
The very moment I realised what was going on, and the way this story was leading, my stomach did a somersault. I can only imagine how Rachel and Suzie must feel. And Rachel’s husband. The devastation they face is heart-wrenching and I felt physically sick for them all.
This book is very cleverly written. I found myself completely invested in the characters. I was as desperate as they were to find out the truth, however painful. I could feel the emotion, the desperation, the anger, the sadness. It’s an extremely powerful and tense read. My heart rate increased on more than one occasion and I’m sure I was holding my breath at times.
An amazing debut novel! I highly recommend!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
(I’m working my way through my shelf, slowly but surely!)
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming JR Weaver to Chat About Books! His book, The Addiction Manifesto, is something quite unique and I’m sure you’ll agree, after reading the following interview, that it sounds like an inspirational read.
JR Weaver (Twitter profile picture)
Hi JR Weaver….
For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?
Hi Everyone, I’m JR Weaver, author of The Addiction Manifesto. I am a person in long-term recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. I am (or was) what you would have called addict or junkie, because I had let my addictions control my life. For the last 27 years I led a life that took me to jails, prisons, living on the streets, I had burned my personal relationships in the pursuit of something that was destroying me. I am a believer that we all have a story to share and I’m blessed to be able to sit here and tell the world my story in hopes that it will help the next person find their own way back from addiction. Want to know why so many former addicts believe in God? Because we have seen the gates of Hell in our addiction.
Where did/do you get your ideas from?
When I started writing about my addiction I was really surprised about what I had learned about it thru surviving it. Maybe it thought it had controlled me enough to let me know its true motives and it’s those motives that I was able to put down in The Addiction Manifesto and how to prepare myself (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually) to battle back against my demons.
Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?
Yes, and here’s the crazy part, its about the 2 versions of myself, the good version and the bad version. I’ve learned that we all have 2 versions of ourselves, and both gotta eat, so we’re faced with a lifelong internal struggle between the 2 versions, which side will you feed?
Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?
I started writing in jail, facing 4 serious felony charges for burglary and they had all the evidence they needed to lock me away for 10-15 years (they had pictures). Something inside me changed, I was really down and out, my life was a train wreck and I had to know how it got to this point. I started writing and I had to deal with the elephant in the room, my addiction. I spent about 90 days locked up but it was really a blessing in disguise because this was my absolute rock bottom, I had written about 77 pages that proved to me that my addiction was out of control. I had written the premise for what I was calling my own personal ‘hope manual.’ Long story short, my new felony charges were rolled up into my drug court plea and I was released to the program. I graduated the hardest program with no sanctions, I continued to write and The Addiction Manifesto was born. If this book could save a guy like me then I knew it could save others.
Who are your top 5 favourite authors?
Matthew Reilly, James Patterson, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney
If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Ryan Hampton (American Fix), how does he stay motivated to fight against a system that doesn’t want to hear our stories?
Were you a big reader as a child?
I remember the first set of books that I read as a child, JRR Tolkiens Lord of the Rings.
When did you start to write?
It’s ironic that I never really had the passion to write until my life depended on it, today I write to reach other struggling addicts with the purpose of bringing them back. I want them to know that they can recover from anything and return to live amazing lives.
If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?
Un’broken
Tell us a random fact about yourself
Army veteran that was stationed in Berlin when the wall came tumbling down. And another random fact is that I am currently employed at the same hospital that I was once arrested at 😊
What are you working on right now?
Book marketing, lol, who would have guessed that its tougher than the actual writing.
Tell us about your last release?
I had a free ebook promo last weekend that hit #1 in 2 of my amazon categories.
What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?
I cut the grass, I have learned to stay humble and focused on the long road ahead.
How can readers keep in touch with you?
Facebook, twitter, Instagram, if I can help out anyone please drop me a message.
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
It’s a great book, it may not get the publicity that other books get because I do write about the dark side of life that society wants to ignore, but its really a book of hope and one helluva comeback story.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Jerry.
2020 International Book Awards Finalist for Health: Addiction & Recovery
“Some people won’t believe in you, and that’s ok, this journey isn’t about them. It’s about you.”
The Addiction Manifesto has been uniquely designed to provide you with a new perspective on recovery and will show you that anything is possible. In this deeply personal book, JR Weaver has crafted a raw insight into his life and how he’s been affected by substance abuse over the past 20 years. He details his recovery process and how he’s dealt with loss. With this book he wishes to help people on their journey to recovery. His realistic approach details his journey to try to have a normal life again.
If you’re going through addiction recovery or want to help someone who is… This book allows you to gain a greater understanding of substance abuse and its many challenges.
This is an absolutely cracking read. From the very beginning I was completely invested. I can’t imagine anyone reading the opening chapter and thinking ‘no, this isn’t for me’. It demanded my attention to the very last page!
As a parent, turning up to collect my child from a playdate to find that they had never been there in the first place, well, it doesn’t bear thinking about. Kidnap was always my biggest fear when my children were young. I can’t even imagine how I would cope with what Marissa is faced with. I’d be hysterical! My heart went out to her. I felt her every emotion throughout her ordeal.
I can’t begin to tell you just how cleverly written this book is. The characters, the tension, the emotion, the suspense, the twists (OH MY GOODNESS the twists!). Just brilliant, I LOVED it!
I can’t really say much more without giving anything away but, needless to say, I highly recommend!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
2020 International Book Awards Finalist for Health: Addiction & Recovery “Some people won’t believe in you, and that’s ok, this journey isn’t about them. It’s about you.” JR Weaver The Addiction Manifesto has been uniquely designed to provide you with a new perspective on recovery and will show you that anything is possible. In this […]
On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.
Please do join in, if you have the time. I’d love to see your posts. Share a link with us in the comments.
Here are my reviews from August 2020 plus a link to previous FBFs….
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Constantine Dhonau to Chat About Books!
Constantine Dhonau
Dear Constantine,
For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?
In 8th grade, I started a myspace-official religion (thank you to our 121 dedicated followers). I picked up trombone after my ska/punk band broke-up in high school. Florida sucked me back in and I became depressed after blowing-out my knee on a 52-day backpacking trip in Colorado because I thought I blew my only chance at realizing my dream by just trying to chase after it. Someone planted the idea in my head to pick-up skydiving as a hobby in college. 8 years later, I jumped out of an airplane solo after watching a man break his leg on landing right before it was my turn to fly. I’m terrible at cooking. After 3 & 1/2 years as a wilderness therapy field guide, my roommate and I woke up one morning and decided to start a high-end catering company. Life is good & I’m satisfied with myself.
All that aside, I like tea. I’m a homebody and a space/tech nerd. I’m becoming increasingly attracted to Daoism. I’m working on letting go of fixed plans and surrendering to the current of life. For the rest and whatnot in between, you’ll have to check out the book.
“Collateral Intentions” is my first-ever publication into official authorhood. It’s a comprehensive collection of my writing from 17 to 28 years-old.
Yes, it has teen angst & cringe.
Yes, it has smile-back-at-that-moment coming-of-age.
Yes, it has letters to unrequited love.
Yes, it has knee-cracking, tear-extracting, mind-blasting, stomach-stirring rawness.
No, it does not have the answer to your problems.
T’was inspired by a desire to put together a book of selected works to read to my students in the field while I was a wilderness therapy guide. I made a small booklet with a few originals and many other established works. It was a fun process creating it (stirring a deep satisfaction to organize and agonize over the most minute details night after sleepless night, cursing the dawn as a landmark of time passing beyond what I could accomplish within “reason”). So, I decided to continue (how insatiable was the urge) and create a larger collection by combing through my dozen journals. Some friends caught wind of my side-project (whole-hearted obsession) that I started so I could have all my writing in one place and they began asking after it. I gave away manuscripts for the cost of printing. At some point, someone teased me about publishing. “PFEH!” I would say. “HA!” I would scoff. “HRNGH!” I would grumble. Then, after sifting through many-a-scam-site, I decided I would self-publish with Overlord Bezos.
Where did/do you get your ideas from?
The material for “Collateral Intentions” is a collection of previous writing, completely sourced from my journals, phone notes, and scraps of dishevelled shoebox scraps. Inspiration can be a fleeting thing for me, something like surfing. When the waves are there, I ride. When they’re not, I do my best to enjoy the calm anyhow. Sometimes an interesting line will pop into my head, sometimes I’ll be struck by a view or a feeling.
Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?
When those little moments crop-up for me, I tend to build around them. That line will stick or I’ll play with words until they match the feeling or observation. I’m primarily a nocturnal writer. For instance, I didn’t sleep last night. I’ll pour into a piece for as long as I can, then forget about it (genuinely, I’m often surprised at the paper trail my past self creates for future me to rediscover).
Who are your top 5 favourite authors?
Off the top of my head, I have great respect for Lao Tzu (of the Dao De Jing) and Stephen Mitchell (a translator) for their artistic engineering of words. They both met the task of communicating vast complexity with elegant simplicity. Margaret Cheyney did a remarkable job of adding subtle embellishments to rigorously-researched factual history in “Man Out of Time,” a biography of Nikola Tesla, which made me feel so clearly that I was in the same room with Nikola at times. I’ve never read Stephen King but my hat’s off to him for sheer endurance. Finally, Saul Williams is a seminal inspiration to me. He is an internationally-renowned slam poet and his content, his literary devices, his delivery…ugh…to me, he challenges what it means to read, write, and perform poetry.
If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Hunter S. Thompson. “Take me with you.”
Were you a big reader as a child?
I was not. I loved being read to, of course, but I’ve always been more of a visual person. I’m much more engaged by movies and shows. Where many readers enjoy the freedom to imagine writing on their own, I enjoy seeing how a director meets the challenge of bringing it to life.
When did you start to write?
I started writing for pleasure around 17. It all started because of a girl. She had stacks of erroneously-scribbled-in composition books and after we parted ways I found myself writing through my difficulties to the point of obsession. It was my coping mechanism until it became my crutch.
If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?
Mordor was Sauron’s plot to re-incarnate all along.
Is there a book you wish you had written?
So far, so good. I’ve written all that my fancy fodders.
If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?
Well, “Collateral Intentions” is a good start as a memoir for a section of my life. When I’m setting the sheets for my death bed?…Hard to say. Maybe something like “Night Walk”.
If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?
Amahl Farouk, the villain from the TV show, “Legion”. He can completely control and alter matter to the point of shaping reality. He enough of an anti-hero morality/indulgence balance that we could have a hell of a day bending the rules for fun. He could probably also imagine into existence the greatest cup of coffee to ever exist.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I play trombone.
What are you working on right now?
A magician never reveals their secrets. “Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.”
Do you have a new release due?
No BUT I do have something very tangibly in the works and a dozen ideas for the near future.
What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?
A tradition has yet to formulate itself. My first ever publication day passed rather unceremoniously due to several family members passing.
Self-love and acceptance are large themes throughout “Collateral Intentions.” I’ve seen radical changes in my life in the past 6 months. I’ve spent time hiking solo, on a vision quest, changing my career, and overall taking a leap of faith. What I’ve discovered is not just self-love, but unconditional self-love. There is no ceiling. I’ve learned that everything is a grieving process and that last step of any grief cycle is bargaining -or- telling one’s story. With this, I believe a new chapter to a new book has opened up for me in my life (while I don’t intend the pun, I see no better way around it).
Wherever you’re at in life, I suspect this book has something to offer you.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Constantine 🙂
Bio:
Constantine was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised by his mother and his aunt, with the help of several formative programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Crew, and Sea Scouts. He spent 3 years as the front man for a Tampa ska/punk band: H1N1. After overcoming blind rebellion against “the system,” he attended St. Petersburg College for his Associate of Arts, followed by New College of Florida for his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
He made his initial escape to Colorado in 2015—degrees in-handin search of his independence, dedicating a year of service to City Year Denver of AmeriCorps. There, he discovered a new passion and direction in life: wilderness therapy. He pursued his first and only dream and vision in life with ferocity to become a field guide with Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, completing nearly 550 days in the field.
He enjoys writing, tea, cooking, brooding, dancing, yoga, astronomy, reprehensibly long walks, movies, being outdoors, etc. & suchforth.
Collateral Intentions
by Constantine Dhonau
Blurb:
At what point does practicing vulnerability fortify ourselves such that we become…invulnerable? This is the vessel on which Constantine Dhonau invites us to explore our most sacred treasure: our inner world. Our voyage is furnished by his journey back across 11 years, from a 17-year-old boy faced with becoming a 28-year-old man, offering a glimpse into his inner dialogue of self-criticism and self-affirmation. We follow his development as a writer and a person as he walks the line between light and dark, love and lust, choice and powerlessness, seeking to free himself from the dichotomous pitfalls of black and white thinking. Throughout this 11-year exploration, he reflects on who he has been, who he is, and whom he wants to become on his way to uncovering a higher calling. He encourages us to embrace the unknown as he bares naked the “collateral intentions” of his choices; those heartfelt efforts which turned against us and those mistakes which became our greatest blessings, in time.
enjoy!
**If you are an author who would like to be interviewed on my blog please do drop me a line**
Sticks and Stones is a compelling tale of revenge against a controlling and abusive husband. Imogen is married to Phillip, but he left her for another woman, Naomi. Younger, slimmer, firmer, Naomi. Imogen isn’t Phillip’s first wife either. He left Ruby behind for Imogen. Phillip, it seems, is never satisfied, and seems to think women are his to own and mould into whatever suits him. He’s arrogant enough to think he will always have the upper hand too. He’s a police officer and considers himself untouchable. However, he is keeping a secret.
Only Imogen shares a child with Phillip and when he pushes her too far, she takes drastic action to protect hers and her son’s future. I can understand how she feels she has no other choice. She’s a brave lady who has been through hell and has well and truly had enough. She’s not alone either as unlikely friendships are formed.
Phillip is a particularly unpleasant character. It’s hard to see how he managed to attract any woman, although men like him do tend to know how to be charming when they need to be. Domestic abuse makes me feel quite sick and I felt a genuine hatred for his character which intensified as the story progressed. I was rooting for Imogen the whole time and praying for her freedom from him. My heart broke for her as I learned more of what she had been through.
Ruby and Naomi grew on me as the story progressed. They have both been through their own trauma’s. Their experiences added depth to the story and truly highlighted Phillip’s true colours.
This book is very cleverly written. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I very much recommend.
**Many thanks to theauthor and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
This is one of those books I feel like I should have read well before now, but better late than never as they say. I did watch the film a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I now agree with others that, as is usually the case, the book is so much better.
I picked up my paperback copy from an independent book shop whilst on holiday in Holmfirth last year. I had read The Small Hand by Susan Hill previously and I really enjoyed that, so I was looking forward to reading more of her stories. I’m so glad I finally got round to reading The Woman in Black. If you have never read it before either, then I highly recommend it.
Not much phases me in books to be honest, but I do find a ghost story quite unnerving and this one really did give me goosebumps. I found Arthur Kipps’ story both terrifying and heart-wrenching.
What he sees at Mrs Drablow’s funeral is extremely creepy and even more so for him not realising what he was actually seeing at that time. I felt his frustrations with the locals who didn’t seem to want to offer any information about Mrs Drablow as I would be curious too. I understood why they were so reluctant as the story progresses.
The descriptions of Mrs Drablow’s house alone are enough to give you the chills. Where it is situated even more so. I certainly wouldn’t want to stay there on my own, so I take my hat off to Arthur who seems unperturbed initially. What he experiences whilst there though is terrifying (my heart was thumping on more than one occasion) and the ultimate consequences of his time there made my heart break for him.
This is one of those stories which will stay with me for a long time to come and I have been told that there is a theatre production which is quite terrifying, so I hope to catch that at some point. I imagine it would be quite an experience.
In Summer at the Cornish Café, we meet Demi when she is working at a café. Unfortunately, due to a run in with an influential customer she loses her job and finds herself homeless again, along with her trusty companion, Mitch (her dog, who is a fabulous character by the way!).
When Cal Penwith comes along with a job offer too good to turn down, they begin the massive task of rebuilding his holiday park and her life is never to be the same again.
I thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship develops throughout this story both professionally and personally. Of course, nothing ever runs smoothly, and they hit many a bump in the road with their development as well as their relationship. Both are such likeable characters though (despite Cal’s fluctuating moods) that I was rooting for them to succeed and find their true happiness. The chemistry between them is evident very early on. They are real and believable characters. Cal has his past, which he is initially reluctant to let go of and Demi, being that bit younger, has a natural vulnerability and relatable concerns. I love that she’s no pushover! The heart wants what it wants though, and we can’t help who we fall for.
This is such a gorgeous read. Set in a beautiful part of the country which I hope to visit again one day. I could just imagine sitting on the beach, sipping wine whilst watching the sun go down. Bliss!
There are several lovely characters in this book, and a couple not so lovely. All are integral though and add their own depth to the story.
Beautifully written, feel-good fiction at its best.
Elle’s A to Z of Love is Claire Huston’s second book. Having read, and loved, Art and Soul I was very much looking forward to reading this book. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Elle and those in her life.
Elle is an easily likeable character who often puts everyone else’s needs above her own. She hasn’t had the most maternal of role models in her mother either. I found their relationship quite sad.
This book focuses heavily on the ups and downs of new and long-term friendships, and romances. Elle does come across as a bit of a soft touch at times and I’m sure many will relate to her relationship with Adam. Most of us have been in love with someone totally wrong for us at some point in our lives and it doesn’t matter how many people try to knock sense into us we have to find out for ourselves, eventually!
Toby is a lovely character, as is Zach. I loved the email conversation between Elle and Zach, especially the Kit Kat debate! LOL! I laughed out loud a lot!
Haileybrook sounds like such a beautiful place to live. It’s hard to understand why Elle seems so keen to leave at her first opportunity. I think many of us are guilty of not appreciating what we already have, although I’ve never really had any burning desire to travel the world. I understand why people do though.
It does seem like Elle is destined to stay put though as one thing after another gets in the way of her travelling plans. Will she ever get on that plane?
Reading this story was a bit like being on an emotional rollercoaster. No wonder Elle’s head is spinning at times. I probably wouldn’t know what to do for the best either! I’m pleased to say that I finished this book with a big smile on my face though.
Elle’s A to Z of Love is beautifully written, feel-good fiction which I think anyone would enjoy. I very much recommend! All the stars from me!
**Many thanks to Claire Huston for my kindle review copy**
out now!
About the author….
Claire Huston
Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK, with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.
A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for all the cakes mentioned in Art and Soul at http://www.clairehuston.co.uk along with over 100 other recipes. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.
As well as her website, you can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Goodreads: linktr.ee/clairehuston_author
Chat About Books 